Paint mask structure



Oct. 10, 1944. J. 1 DUC -BGAN 2,359,974

PAINT MASK STRUCTURE Filed April 27, 1942 INVENTOR.

JAMES EDWARD DUGGAN ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 10, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAINT MASK STRUCTURE James Edward Duggan, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 2'7, 1942, Serial No. 440,722

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to devices that are used to protect one or more surfaces or portions of an article from paint applied to adjacent or other predetermined surfaces or portions thereof, and refers more particularly to a mask structure applicable to an airplane propeller blade and the like.

In the past, it has been customary to apply different colors of paint as insignia to adjacent areas of the top and/or bottom surfaces of airplane propeller blades, however it has been diiiicult to do this without the various colors being inaccurately applied or overlapping one another, or without using adhesively applied'masks to prevent such overlapping. Ordinarily, taped sheets have been used and these oftentimes disfigured or marred the engaged surfaces when the tape was applied or removed. Moreover, such masks were unusable after once being applied and had to be scrapped.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a, mask structure of the type mentioned that is in the form of a sleeve or cuff capable of being slipped on the blade and adjusted lengthwise thereof as desired to protect various areas of said blade from paint applied to adjacent areas.

Another object is to provide a mask that will stand repeated handling and use and that may be quickly and easily applied to or removed from the blade without marring the surfaces thereof with which it is engaged.

Another object is to provide a mask structure that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a mask having tabs at opposite side edges thereof by which the mask may be adjusted on or removed from the blade; thus the same mask may be used when successively making areas of different colors.

Another object is to provide a mask structure having tapered edges for engagement with the surfaces to be painted for defining accurately the margins or limits of area to be painted.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational' View of an airplane propeller blade having different colors arranged in adjacent transversely extending bands at the tip thereof;

I Figure 2 is a top plan view of a mask embodyand adjusted lengthwise of the blade illustrated in Figure 1 to protect successively adjacent portions of said blade as the different colors are applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mask in its initial masking position on the blade;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an edge elevation of the mask;

Figure 6 is an end View of the mask;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2. Referring now to the drawing, A is an airplane propeller blade having different colors, preferably three, arranged in adjacent transversely extending bands I0, I l and I2, respectively, at the tip thereof, and B is a mask embodying my invention and adapted to he slipped upon and adjusted lengthwise of the blade to protect successively adjacent portions of the blade after the different colors mentioned are applied thereto.

As shown, the bands ID to l2 inclusive extend across the blade from one longitudinal edge to the other thereof and are substantially equal in width. The band I0 is at the tip of the blade and is preferably red, the band H is next to the band I0 and is preferably yellow, and the band I2 is next to the band H and is preferably blue, however it is apparent that the bands may be in any ing my invention and adapted to be slipped upon gageable with opposite sides of the blade.

other arrangement desired and may be of other colors. Ordinarily another set of bands similar to the bands 10 to I2 inclusive are provided upon the opposite side of the blade and both sets of bands may be painted on the blade by the use of only one mask B embodying my invention,

In the present instance, the mask B has a body I5 that preferably is in the form of a tapering normally fiat sleeve or cuff, and is preferably formed of a resilient material such as rubber or rubber composition. The wide end It of the body I5 is plain and open to receive the blade, while the narrow end I! is likewise open but is provided at opposite sides thereof with transversely extending stiffening beads l8 and I9, respectively, having tapered edges 20 and 2| en- Tabs or ears 22 and 23, respectively, project laterally outward from opposite side edges of the body l5 adjacent opposite ends of the beads l8 and I9, and may be used to pull the mask lengthwise of the blade.

In use, the wide end N5 of the mask is slipped upon the blade A from the tip thereof to the position illustrated in Figure 3. In this initial position the tapered edges 20 and 2! at the narrow end of the mask define the inner margin of the band I2 and effectively form seals between the mask and blade to prevent paint sprayed or otherwise applied to the blade beyond said edges from passing under the mask onto the surfaces of the blade covered thereby. The band I2 may then be painted or sprayed with blue paint or paint of any other color if desired. After the paint which is applied dries, the tabs 22 and 23 may then be used to pull the mask outward on the blade toward the tip 30 thereof to cover the band I2 and to position the tapered edges 20 and 2| at the outer margin of said band I2. In this second position of the mask the tapered edges 20 and 2| thereof will prevent another color of paint applied to the blade beyond said edges from passing onto the painted band I2. The second band I I may then be painted or sprayed with yellow paint or paint of any other color. After this paint dries the tabs 22 and 23 may then be used to pull the mask outward on the blade A toward the tip 30 thereof to cover the bands .I2 and II and to position the tapered edges 20 and 2| at the outer margin ofthe second hand II. In this third position the tapered edges 20 and 2| will prevent another color of paint applied to the blade beyond said edges from passing onto either of the painted bands I2 and I I, respectively. The third band I may thenbe painted or sprayed with red paint or paint of any other color. After the last mentioned paint dries, the tabs 22 and 23 may be used to pull the mask off the blade. The three bands In to I2 inclusive that have been made on the blade as described will then be exposed and will be dstinct from one anotherwithoutv any overlapping of paint. The width of the bands may be determined in advance, and lines or other markings may beplaced on the blade to indicate the intended margins of said bands where the tapered edges 20 and H of the mask areto be successively positioned as described.

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a mask that maybe easily and quickly applied to and removed from the blade A without marring the. engaged surfaces or paint applied thereto. The different colors of paint may be accurately applied successively without overlapping, and the mask B may beused for the application of all three colors. Obviously the blade A may be provided with more or less bands or more or less colors,.but the single mask B willsufiice in each instance. When pulled laterally outward the tabs 22 and 23 stretch the narrow end of the mask clear of the-blade so that the latter may be moved lengthwise of said blade Without diificulty. These tabs 22 and 23 also connect into and cooperate with the beads I8 and I9 to strengthen and reinforce the body I of the mask.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Means for protecting simultaneously similar areas of opposite sides of an elongated member from paint applied to adjacent areas of said sides, comprising a non-collapsible normally flat elongated open ended sleeve-like masking element adapted to be slipped endwise upon and advanced lengthwise of said elongated member to envelope in surface to surface relation the areas to be pro-' tected, said masking element being imperforate except for opposite ends thereof and having at least one end portion adapted to have sealing engagement with said elongated member, said sealing end portion being substantially V-shaped in longitudinal section from one longitudinal side edge to the other of the element with the inclined sides of the V converging longitudinally of the element to the open end thereof and providing across the element at opposite sides of said open end opposed relatively fine edges for engagement With the elongated member to define one margin or boundary of the areas thereof to be protected, at least the sealing end portion aforesaid of the element being formed of resilient material so that it may readily conform to and. have a tight glove-likefit with said elongated member and may be stretched when the element is applied to said member to break the seal therewith and be advanced lengthwise thereof.

2. Means for protecting simultaneously similar areas of opposite sides of an elongated member from paint applied to adjacent areas of said sides, comprising a non-collapsible normally fiat elongated open ended sleeve-like masking element adapted to be slipped endwise upon and advanced lengthwise of said elongated member to envelope in surface to surface relation the areas to be protected, said masking element being imperforate except for opposite ends thereof and having at least one end portion adapted to have sealing engagement with said elongated member, said sealing end portion being substantially V-shaped in longitudinal section from one longitudinal side edge to the other of the element with the inclined sides of the V converging longitudinally of the element to the open end thereof and providing across the element at opposite sides of said open end opposed relatively fine edges for engagement with the elongated member to define one margin or boundary of the areas thereof to be protected, at least the sealing end portion aforesaid of the element being formed of resilient material so that it may readily conform to and have a tight glove-like fit with said elongated member and may be stretched when the element is applied to said member to break theseal therewith and be advanced lengthwise thereof, and single means for stretching the resilient end portion of the element to initially break the seal with said member and to subsequently advance said element lengthwise of said member, including finger pieces projecting laterally from said element at opposite longitudinal side edges thereof.

3. Means for protecting one or more areas of an elongated member from paint applied to one or more other areas of said member, comprising a non-collapsible normally fiat elongated open ended sleeve-like masking element adapted to he slipped endwise upon and advanced lengthwise of said elongated member to envelope in surface to surface relation the areas to be protected, saidmasking element being imperforate except for opposite ends thereof and having at leastone end portion adapted to have sealing engagement with said elongated member, at least one side of said sealing end portion being provided from one longitudinal side edge to the other of said element with an inclined portion extending longitudinally of the element to the open end thereof and providing across the element at one side of said open end a relatively fine edge for engagement with the elongated member to define a margin or boundary of an areathereof -to be protected, at least the sealing end portion aforesaid of the element being formed of resilient material so that it may readily conform to and have a tight glove-like fit withsaid elongated member and may be stretched when the element is applied to said member to break the seal therewith and be advanced lengthwise thereof.

4. Means for protecting one or more areas of an elongated member from paint applied to one or more other areas of said member, comprising a non-collapsible normally flat elongated open ended sleeve-like masking element adapted to be slipped endwise upon and advanced lengthwise of said elongated member to envelope in surface to surface relation the areas to be protected, said masking element being imperforate except for opposite ends thereof and having at least one end portion adapted to have sealing engagement with said elongated member, at least one side of said sealing end portion being provided from one longitudinal side edge to the other of said element with an inclined portion extending longitudinally of the element to the open end thereof and providing across the element at one side of said open end a relatively fine edge for engagement with the elongated member to define a margin or boundary of an area thereof to be protected, at least the sealing end portion aforesaid of the element being formed of resilient material so that it may readily conform to and have a tight glove-like fit with said elongated -member and may be stretched when the element is applied to said member to break the seal therewith and be advanced lengthwise thereof, and single means for stretching the resilient end portion of the element to initially break the seal with said member and to subsequently advance said element lengthwise of said member, including finger pieces projecting laterally from said element at opposite longitudinal side edges thereof.

5. Means for protecting one or more areas of an elongated member from paint applied to one or more other areas of said member, comprising a non-collapsible open ended sleeve-like masking element adapted to be slipped endwise upon and advanced lengthwise of said elongated member, said masking element having at least one end portion adapted to have sealing engagement with said elongated member, at least one side of said sealing end portion being provided from one longitudinal side edge to the other of said element with an inclined portion extending longitudinally of the element to the open end thereof and providing across the element at one side of said open end a relatively fine edge for engagement with the elongated member to define a margin or boundary of an area thereof to be protected, at least the sealing end portion aforesaid of the element being formed of resilient material so that it may readily conform to and have a tight glove-like fit with said elongated member and may be stretched when the element is applied to said member to be advanced lengthwise thereof.

6. Means for protecting one or more areas of an elongated member from paint applied to one or more other areas of said member, comprising a non-collapsible open ended sleeve-like masking element adapted to be slipped endwise upon and advanced lengthwise of said elongated member, said masking element having at least one end portion adapted to have sealing engagement with said elongated member, at least one side of said sealing end portion being provided from one longitudinal side edge to the other of said element with an inclined portion extending longitudinally of the element to the open end thereof and providing across the element at one side of said open end a relatively fine edge for engagement with the elongated member to define a margin or boundary of an area thereof to be protected, at least the sealing end portion aforesaid of the element being formed of resilient material so that it may readily conform to and have a tight glove-fit with said elongated member and may be stretched when the element is applied to said member to be advanced lengthwise thereof, and mean for stretching the resilient end portion of the element to advance said element lengthwise of said member, including finger pieces projecting from said element at spaced points thereof.

J AIWES EDWARD DUGGAN. 

